Influencer says he plans to run for presidency and will announce on Friday
The 1st Phrase of the Dystopian Romance “1984”from the British writer (1903-1950), sets the reader in a “April cold and brilliant morning”. The work mocked characteristics of the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany to criticize authoritarianism. Also brings futuristic elements, who gave the author the reputation of “visionary”as urban surveillance cameras.
The work, published for the first time in 1949, became a classic of science fiction literature on politics and various references to it are spread throughout Western culture. The best known is the reality show Big Brother, who uses the very name of the fictitious dictator of the “Orwellian” universe, the great brother.
The one released on Thursday (3.br.2025) by the entrepreneur and influencer – which he will be a candidate for the presidency of the Republic and will create a new social network – is also filled with references to 1984.
Watch the video (2min50s):
At least 5 references are explicit:
- On the shelf behind Felipe Neto, there is the book itself “1984”. Although the bottom of the video was blurry, it is possible to identify the launched in 2021 by the publisher;
- In the shelves above the book, to the center, there is also a painting with one eye, similar to what illustrates the cover of this edition of the book;
- the social network proposed by Felipe Neto would be called Nova Fala, a reference to “Novo Longua” -or “Navafala”in some versions -, fictional language created by the authoritarian government portrayed in the work;
- The influencer also says that the network will be “As a ministry […]maybe the truth ”. In the book, the Ministry of Truth is the main structure of the state, whose function is to define what is true and what is not, volatile, according to the interests of the government;
- He also says that, as president, it will be like a “Elder brother” of the Brazilian people. The reference, in this case, is to the character of the dictator Great Brother.
There are other elements in the video that also resemble aspects of “1984” And they may or may not be references to the work. Visual elements, such as the black shirt and yellowish lighting, resemble a scene from the launched in 1984 and directed by where the great brother appears on a large screen during a speech.
He also talks about using “Network dependence [sociais] in favor of the people ” and that your platform will be “A kind of laboratory where each citizen […] voluntarily gives in information so that we can know the real preferences and needs of the Brazilian people ”. Here, there is possibly a reference to “Teletelas”Two -dimensional TVs used by the government to watch citizens as they watch them.
The influencer also makes reference to the characteristics of totalitarian governments, such as the ideas of being a “Attentive and vigilant father” For the people, of democracy as the government of the majority and the review of textbooks according to the visions of this “majority” to which they are ruled.
Book Club
Felipe Neto has a platform, the FN Book Club, which promotes collective debates based on literary works. Currently, the group is dedicated to reading the novel (2023),. The work is set in the 1930s, in Minas Gerais, and addresses topics such as authoritarianism, racism and eugenics.
